Line casting machine



May 11, 1937. GE|$ERT Q r 2,080,309

LINE CASTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 3 1934 Patented May 11, 1937 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE LINE CASTING MACHINE Lewis Geisert, Philadelphia,Pa.

Application November 3, 1934, Serial No. 751,398

1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in the assembler mechanisms ofline-casting machines.

Considerable difficulty has been experienced in machines of this classdue to a tendency of the matrices to foul or check at the point wherethe matrices are transferred to the assembling elevator, with resultanttranspositions or clogging. This tendency arises from a faultyconstruction which permits slight wear of the parts or loose* ness inthe assembling elevator to cause a gap between the assembler chute blockand the elevator in which the thinner matrices may become caught. Torectify this, it is necessary under the prior construction to remove theblock and to pien out the rail at the juncture to an extent againaffording a close joint between the block and the elevator. Thedefective construction referred to has, over a long period of time,caused considerable trouble, loss of time and defective work.

Specifically, therefore, a principal object of my invention is toimprove the structure of this portion of the mechanism overcoming theaforesaid difficulty.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide adjustablemeans for maintaining a desirably close joint between the assemblerchute block and the assembling elevator operative in both assemblinglevels to preclude defective feeding of the matrices to the elevator.

In the attached drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevational and partial sectional view of the lowerportion of the assembler chute and the immediately related portions ofthe assembling elevator of a line-casting machine;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on the line 2-2,Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of the assembler block; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective and partial sectional view of the aforesaidimmediately related part of the assembling elevator.

With reference to Fig. 1 of the drawing, l indicates the entrance of theassembler chute, and 2 is the matrix belt which delivers the matrices tothe rails of the assembler chute block 3. Towards its lower end, theblock 3 is provided with the usual star wheel 4, which in known mannerdelivers the matrices 5 to the assembling elevator 6.

The lower ends of the rails 1, I of the block 3 in a normal assemblyshould lie in close proximity to the entering ends of the lower rails 8,8, of the assembling elevator and also to the end of the adjustableduplex rail 9 which forms the upper assembling level, the ends of theelevator rails 8 and 9 being provided with upstanding matrixretainingflanges formed either integrally with the rails, as indicated at I!) andl I, or by a separate plate. In the illustrated mechanism, provision inthe form of a tapped hole I2 is made for securing a retaining plate ofthis character at the end of the lower front rail 8, the plate beingremoved in the drawing for the purpose of clarifying the structureshown. When the juncture of 10 the rails of the block 3 and of theelevator 6 is not close, a condition that frequently prevails as aresult of wear or by reason of inaccuracies of construction or loosenessof the related parts, the thin matrices tend to catch in the gap withthe results set forth above. The excessive enlargement of the gap at therail junctures due to wear is particularly prevalent in those assemblieswherein a slight ofiset in alignment between the assembler block and theassembling elevator mechanism is provided for the purpose of preventingthe entering matrices from damaging the working faces of the matricesalready in the elevator, since in this type of construction the Wear isconcentrated on that rail of the assembler block which extends to theends of the lower front rail and the overlying duplex rail of theelevator.

In accordance with my invention and in assemblies of the last-namedtype, I form the lower end of that one of the rails of the block 3 whichreceives the excessive wear as a separate element which may be advancedby adjustment into closeproximity to or engagement with the ends oflower front and duplex rails of the elevator. In the present instance,this element takes the form of a substantially rectangular plate [3which fits slidably within a recess at the lower end of the rail proper.The plate l3 preferably is beveled at its inner upper corner, asindicated at I4, and at the rear is provided with a longitudinal 40 slotl5 for reception of the screw I6 which secures the plate to the block 3.The plate l3 may be made of any suitable material, and I prefer toemploy vulcanized fibre which has been found exceptionally well suitedfor the purpose. As previously set forth and as illustrated in Fig. 1,the plate I3 is of sufficient depth to embrace at its forward edge boththe ends of the lower front rail 8 of the elevator and the duplex rail II.

It will be apparent that with an adjustable device of this character therequirement for an original close fit between the block 3 and theelevator 6 need not be as critical as in the prior devices where noadjustment feature was provided. It will be noted further that any gaporiginally existing between the lower end of the rail 1 and the rails 8and l I of the elevator may be readily compensated by simple adjustmentof the plate l3; and that any wear upon the elements tending to form agap may be compensated by a similar simple adjustment. The device whilea simple one eliminates a major defect of the prior construction whichhas been responsible for considerable trouble and losses due todefective assembling of the matrices and to repair expenses.

It will be apparent that the same principle may be applied to maintain aclose juncture between the inner rail 7 of the block and the inner lowerrail 8 of the elevator where this may be found necessary in order toinsure proper delivery of the matrices to the elevator. It will furtherbe apparent that there may be modifications of the illustratedembodiment without departure from the invention.

I claim:

In a line-casting machine, the combination with an assembling elevatorcomprising matrixsupporting rails, of an assembler chute for deliveringmatrices to said elevator, said chute comprising an assembler blockhaving matrix-guiding rails, the lower ends of which are arranged inproximity to the rails of said elevator, means providing a slot at thelower end of a rail of said block, and a plate mounted in said slot withan end thereof in alignment with said rail, said plate in effectconstituting the lower end of the rail and being adjustable in the slotto maintain a close juncture between said rail and the entering end ofthe adjoining rail of said elevator.

LEWIS GEISERT.

